New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-06
VOICE OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
INDISCRIMINArE PENSIONS WRONG.
FAITHFUL SERVICE DECLARED TO BE The TRUE
BASIS OF SERVICE PENsIoN-A CERTAIN ELF
MENT IN THE ARMY WHICH PROBABLY OUGHT
NOT TO BE REWARDED.

BASIS OF A SERVICE PENsION-A CERTAIN ELE-
MEST IN THE ARMY WHICH PROBABLY OUGHT
NOT TO BE REWARDED
Oswcgo " Y. NOV. H. Nearly all civilized countries
the obligation In the interest of discipline and
efficiency OF their armies to reward those who are dis
abcd by wounds and dis asc in their service by sub
stdniial and regular grants OF -lnoney In foreign
countries service pensions only granted mark of
honor for services, or "a reward for long
the veteran has exhausted In the servc. OF he
stae." service pension is very seldom granted Tor
less than ten years ofcner for twenty ana
ne pension laws Of this country are much more
liberal and literally executed but they shUlli he
Ieglatclby we'll defined policy and sound principles or
state. They should encourage ana reward morality
faithful service and efficiency in armies II l. eRsy
TO see thai ndscInate service pension law would DC
enacted in defiance OF such principles Instead OF re-
waring faithful dsclI line and efficiency gen
cral law would encourage mallnSermg and traui ana
r'WnrI lhc"mIe,en'E anu ucueIt a @ ~ o,o
brokers recruit depleted IN the field shout
be sucicl 10 convince every candid man of the folly
and pcruicous policy or an nilscrin nate act AT ths
can give convincing proof from my observation IN
the field ut tue wJrlc~snc>s and physical ueOnl-
potency - certain percentage OF the recruits who
really Gil dcueicl RANKS, but actually
filed our hos pital- camp AMI crowded on" ambuances
tine march, often 10 the exclusion and deprivation OF
the worthy veteran disabled by hard and faith
fu service Crpplcs disabled from childhood, children
OF i'm years oil men decr"pt from age, mbeces,
II criminals, mon Sunerng FROM III species or
mental, moral and physical uhrmit.cs, were precp
tacd upon increasing oar burdens aud relieving The
a.mshou5cs and ais II nome Al least 20 per cent OF
tie recruits sent to our part Ot the army during the last
years OF the war were ot that class al iol the
purpose OF hng quotas ana cSci ping 'rNit Heui"lt
became a frg.itfnl busbelr. coulllS the sense or
patriotism corruping enrolling boards aud stimulating
unhDy greed. WIZ the ar committees me necessity OF
sending the front brave. efficient recruit w's lost
St-ht of or hccInc secondary consideration IMMENSE
Local hounticS were oH'r'd 10 stimulate chio'Wchl'
enptng boys and oil men to miSrcpreNent their ages
BoIny brokers were encouraged to perpetrate outrag
eoh, raul i3 thc LtXncSS "i Oces whose sworn uuy
IL protect her interests. Bounty Jumping came
fine art cncouraecd aud connyed at by the brokers
who retained a oHHie Of the bounty. II became u
maxim that lie who enlisted and ran away lived TO
enlist another day." and He who emil ted ana was IN
battle slain lived never to enlist asan' MAGISTRATES
the cuprs choice "t cnl,thg ot DelnS sent 10
tine prut.utiJry The culpfts who ala not succeed IN
jumping The bounty and get'u- away h~f'Ie arriving at
tie front. bcc1mc export m"nSerer7 ana drttel INTO
riding the pocket 0; riicr comrades The majority OF
tis worthless and m"rccnhry class Ici 10 return win
an honorable discharge hccIlS' they exempt IrOm
the haIars Of battle md the hardsipS ana augnes or
a campaign This clt's would become the benchciares
more worthy veterans ana to the drtrlment or tho
service II n should be again our ni>ornne 10 nave
another demanding army l1ry"r thdn could ne
hlrl by voluntary enlistment me iacIN WIN Whlch
many mcorusibc mllngcrcrS obtain pensions under
In, vsior,ns who ucrformrd their duty manfully and
faithfully and nni their claims barred by the want OF
1i, prof that ttcir i,ahillfics were incurred IN the
service and I'm t.c line OF duty. Many ~ them have he
come cyiical. discriminating service pension Hrt
MAKING n reqni,i,e that the claimant 4hal prove con-
cu,ycly that he served definite length time in the
front ami participated IA catpaiSn~ and battles not
a reward for fI1ful AMI efficient service. would give
satisfaction 10 ALL Bu az nhi,cruiu"" pension act
rcrl.n- a alike. VoII bc contrary 10 sonnd policy.
Many regiments raised during the year of i-Gi-5,
lOlp strong cost ir counties hy the tiu.c they were
or,,uIzci one million OF dollars. ana many 81 these
..luIents never -aN ha'tlc or participated IN cam
p,isn Many veteran Vh" mad served ihlth,u
throughout tic way. 1nd .crriNei N;rc or no local
bounty found upon Bis rn home az tie co'e ~ nc
war special tlN levied ON his humble house ana ot
az f, itr,i,. ilr -,orucl ~ Mary, lie ght- and
battle Of re- leacs,olrs OF tha lc' f-'ile o. "r'yS
burg AMI of TIE Wilderness II 1, 20 these 'ncn tAe Ieot